Sutton United are delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Gray as the club's new manager following Paul Doswell's resignation last week. 37-year-old Matt joined the club in December as Head Coach, and takes up his first managerial position having previously had spells as assistant manager at Eastleigh and in League Two with Aldershot and Crawley. As a player he began his career with Tottenham Hotspur and went on to play for Cardiff City, Hayes and Havant & Waterlooville before being forced in to early retirement through injury, and he now runs his own sports coaching business.
Chairman Bruce Elliott said: ''Without even having to advertise the post we had a number of applications, from ex-Premier League players as well as both experienced and up-and-coming young managers in the non-league game, but Matt greatly impressed the Board with his desire and enthusiasm to take up the position, and his knowledge of the game and players at this level, as well as above and below it. He will bring new and fresh ideas, and the energy and enthusiasm which have been the hallmark of Sutton United FC for so many seasons now.
Most of all he is an ambitious man who has been biding his time to make the right decision about which club he wants to manage – he appreciates what Sutton United is all about having been able to observe the club closely for five months now, and we are all extremely excited about how Matt will continue the progress our club has made in the last eleven years. We have heard nothing but good things from those he has worked with in the past, and Paul Doswell, Ian Baird and the playing staff all speak very highly of his contribution since joining us in December. With that support from the dressing room, it gives us continuity at a time when we feel we need evolution rather than revolution. Matt is raring to go, as we all are, and we are looking forward to working with him and continuing to challenge in the Vanarama National League.''
Matt commented: 'I'm delighted to have been appointed as manager of Sutton United. Since retiring as a player aged 25 I've known that I want to be a manager one day, but was in no rush as I wanted to find the right club. I've had twelve valuable years experience as a coach and assistant manager at National League and League Two level, and also had two spells scouting for Millwall. That has stood me in good stead and given me a knowledge of clubs and players at our level and I feel I am now ready to make the step up into management.
I'd like to thank Paul Doswell and Ian Baird for bringing me to the club and putting me in the position to take this opportunity. Paul did an amazing job in his eleven years here, and his boots will be tough to fill but I hope that, while putting my own stamp on the role, I can continue his legacy.
I've inherited fantastic staff, and a good squad of players who, like me, are hungry to do well and succeed together. I'm also looking forward to building a relationship with the supporters – I've been very impressed with the level of support both home and away and hope that together we can enjoy continuing success.
It's also important that I feel comfortable with the Board of Directors, and I've been so impressed with the club's Board during my time here and in my meetings with them over the past week. They have made me feel that this is the right time and club for me to start my managerial career. They could not be better or more supportive, and I can't wait to work with them.
I'm a young, enthusiastic and ambitious manager, and I can't wait to get started.''
Matt will be talking to SUFCtv tomorrow (Thursday) about his appointment and the interview will be on line later in the day.